Texarkana FYI Hometown Heroes: Diana Howard, Founder of ‘Pink Ride’

It is our honor to name Diana Howard of Texarkana Texas as the Wadley Regional Medical Center Hometown Hero for March of 2017. Diana is the founder and president of the local charity “Pink Ride” and is by all definitions a true hero in our community.

Howard founded the group Pink Ride, a 501(c)3 organization in 2000 that concentrates on Breast Cancer and Breast Cancer Awareness, but most important, local women and men helping local women battling cancer and in need of a little help. In describing the Pink Ride at pinkride.org.

This event started by one friend needing help, and a friend who wanted to help. As this event became a reality the feeling of helping others was so wonderful that we decided to keep it going and after meeting other patients and seeing what they are going through with the treatments and medication is an experience that will leave a lasting effect on anyone seeing the many hardships of these patients our organization helps. Just because someone is a Cancer patient does not mean the everyday bills like the water, electric, and gas stop. Most individuals battling Cancer, battle with the out-of-pocket medical expenses and coming up with the mortgage. With that being said, we have fun and ride our motorcycles and help someone in need so at the end of the day we know that we have made the world better for someone going through a bad experience in their life… Come have some fun with us and do what we love at the same time.

When informed of her nomination and being chosen as a Texarkana FYI Hometown Hero, we asked for a comment and she said,

Thank you so much, you have no idea what this means to me! I love where I live and I do not do what I do alone!!! We are only as great as the people we have behind us backing us up!!! Thank you to my committee and all the others that are apart and have worked hard to make Pink Ride what it has become!!!! Thank you to my supportive husband, Pat Howard for standing behind me and my dream every year. My four wonderful daughters Miranda Smith, Felicia Stansbury, Tabbetha Duenas, and Kristinna Gilmore, they help me every year with Pink Ride This has become such a rewarding adventure. All the patients we have helped and lost and the love and memories we have received from each one of them along the way. As we go through this event every year it makes us realize that to continue Pink Ride is not an option it’s an honor! Thank u to all past and present supporters!

Here is some video explaining what Pink Ride is and who they are from the 2013 event…

Extreme respect and gratitude to Ms. Diana Howard for all of her energy and effort to help others in our community. She works selfishly and tirelessly to help with many events in our area all with the idea of promoting Pink Ride, but more than that, helping people that are helping others.

This is the seventh year for “The Pink Ride“…

As the oldest hospital in Texarkana, Wadley Regional Medical Center has a century-long tradition of providing compassionate, high-quality healthcare. As part of its commitment to provide innovative, quality care, Wadley has pioneered many medical firsts for Texarkana. As the area’s first Joint Commission certified Primary Stroke Center and the first state-designated Level II Primary Stroke Center, Wadley is the area’s leader in stroke care.  Wadley was also the region’s first dual designated Level III Advanced Trauma Center by both the State of Texas and Arkansas.  Wadley proudly brought robotic surgery to the area with the first da Vinci Si Surgical System as well as many firsts in equipment and services in the Wadley Breast Health Center for diagnosing breast cancer.  As a leader in providing progressive healthcare services to our community, it is with great pride that Wadley recognizes all of the local heroes in our community and let them know they are appreciated and respected as our Texarkana Hometown Heroes.